Microsoft WDS reference: Imports a boot image to the image store. The syntax and selected example below are adapted from the pinned Windows Server 2025 reference. Module availability, target configuration and delegated permissions determine whether it can run in your environment. Documentation and parameter text: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; formatting adapted by Cmdlet World. No execution testing is claimed.
Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for Import-WdsBootImage. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.
Supported environments
Windows / WDS · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply
Parameters
-AsJob
Runs the cmdlet as a background job. Use this parameter to run commands that take a long time to complete. The cmdlet immediately returns an object that represents the job and then displays the command prompt. You can continue to work in the session while the job completes. To manage the job, use the *-Job cmdlets. To get the job results, use the Receive-Job cmdlet. For more information about Windows PowerShell® background jobs, see about_Jobs.
-CimSession
Runs the cmdlet in a remote session or on a remote computer. Enter a computer name or a session object, such as the output of a New-CimSession or Get-CimSession cmdlet. The default is the current session on the local computer.
-DisplayOrder
Specifies the order in which images appear in the menu on Pre-Boot Execution Environment (PXE) clients. The menu lists the boot images in ascending order, smallest number to largest number. If two boot images have the same display order, the imported images appear in alphabetical order of file name. If you do not specify this parameter, the imported images appear in the middle of the list.
-Multicast (required)
Indicates that the cmdlet enables an autocast transmission of the image. If you do not specify the *TransmissionName* parameter, Windows Deployment Services uses the image name of the imported image for the multicast.
-NewDescription
Specifies a new description.
-NewFileName
Specifies a new file name for the image file. Windows Deployment Services verifies that the source image file is unique before it adds it to the image store. If you do not specify this parameter, Windows Deployment Services uses the file name of the source image file for the imported image file.
-NewImageName
Specifies a name for the image.
-Path (required)
Specifies the fully qualified path of the file that contains the boot image. The path must available to the Windows Deployment Services server.
-SkipVerify
Indicates that Windows Deployment Services does not verify the source image file before it adds it to the image store.
-ThrottleLimit
Specifies the maximum number of concurrent operations that can be established to run the cmdlet. If this parameter is omitted or a value of 0 is entered, then Windows PowerShell® calculates an optimum throttle limit for the cmdlet based on the number of CIM cmdlets that are running on the computer. The throttle limit applies only to the current cmdlet, not to the session or to the computer.
-TransmissionName
Specifies a name for the multicast transmission. If you do not specify this parameter, Windows Deployment Services uses the image name of the imported image for the multicast.
Prerequisites
Windows with the WDS module and the Windows feature or management tools that provide it. Confirm target connectivity and version compatibility using the linked Microsoft reference.
Security considerations
This cmdlet changes system state. Review every target and parameter in the official reference, test outside production, and prepare an appropriate backup or rollback. Do not execute the example automatically.
Examples
Example 1: Import a boot image
Import-WdsBootImage -Path "E:\sources\boot.wim" -NewImageName "Fabrikam LOB setup (x86)" -NewDescription "Choose this image to install Fabrikam LOB on computers with x86 processors." -NewFileName "Fabrikamx86boot.wim" -SkipVerify
This command imports a boot image named boot.wim. The command specifies a new image name, description, and file name for the imported image. The command specifies that Windows Deployment Services does not verify the source image file before it adds it to the image store. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.